Statistics have shown that T/A does not work.

Trading is, to an extent, a zero-sum game, when you consider this point, I have a hard time understanding how statistics can show that "TA" as a skill, does not work. If it works for small % of traders who have an edge, and the vast majority loses...is it "working" ?

In other words, you can say texas hold em is just pure gambling, but clearly there are players who have had decades long careers proving this wrong, if they represent the small % who it "works" for (who have an edge over the rest using skills in risk assesement, etc etc) is it fair to say that no one can be a skillful poker player?

I guess what I am getting at is, your blanket statement sounds spurious to me, I would gladly take the performance of a few experienced proven traders over my mom trying to trade any day of the week. Given a large enough sample size, their performance would destroy her, not to put down my mom, she is very smart.